The bosses of a former hand car wash business in Witham have been fined more than £10,000 after failing to pay workers the national minimum wage.

Witham Hand Car Wash Limited, which was based in The Grove Centre, was among 179 employers "named and shamed" by the government on Friday..

The business owes six workers a total of £10,052 and will now be forced to backdate their pay, however the business went into liquidation in January.

Business minister Andrew Griffiths said: "There are no excuses for shortchanging workers.

"This is an absolute red line for this Government and employers who cross it will get caught - not only are they forced to pay back every penny but they are also fined up to 200% of wages owed.

"Today's naming round serves as a sharp reminder to employers to get their house in order ahead of minimum wage rate rises on April 1."

High street chain TGI Friday's, which has a restaurant at Freeport Braintree, was also on the list along with other high profile names like Wagamama and Birmingham City Football Club

The restaurant chain shortchanged 2,302 of its staff nationwide to the tune of £59,348.

A TGI Fridays spokesperson said: "To confirm, TGI Fridays does pay the National Minimum Wage hourly rate.

"The total figure quoted in today's HMRC list relates to reimbursing team members a shoe allowance.

"This is a historic payment which was paid last year, and we have since reimbursed team members for the purchase of their black uniform shoes."